Apparatus for filling receptacles with liquids.



F. B. CHAMBERS.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUIDS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1915.

6 F46 1% I; j )6]? i 3%? J flz/Z 4/ J 2 fl z Z2 1 a 475 C PF 2} Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

[/7060 fol" J M F. B. CHAMBERS.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUIDS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8.1915.

1,255,984. Patented Fb.12,1918.

226 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 1?. L5. j i 6 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK B. CHAMBERS, OF BUFFALO, NEW' YORK.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUIDS.

Application filed July 8, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, Finn's B. Cnairnuns, a citizen of the United Stat s, residing at Buffalo, in the county of E and State of New York, have inmate-d a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Filling lieceptacles with Liquids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus by means of which cans or other receptacles can be filled with liquids, and which veigh the liquid filled into each receptacle and stop the flow of liquid to the receptacle when the desired quantity has pas ed into the same.

The objects of the invention are to produce an efficient and desi ahle ilpjitlltllS of this kind of improved con rueti on in which the adjustment of the parts s greatly facilitated so that the apparatu can be readily enabled to operate on d ent liquids or on receptacles of different sings; also to iro'vir e apparatus of this kind with air pockets or air tight portions into which the liquid is prevented from entering by the air confined therein, and in which some of the i is of the valve actuating mechanism are a1 anged, so that the liquid which is being filled into receptacles does not come into contact with any of the valve actuating mechanism and does not interfere with the op ration. of the apparatus; also to providt an apparatus of this kind with means which an be readily adjusted without taking the housing of the apparatus apart to coi'uiteract to a greater or less degree the forces tending to close the valves, so that the valves can be closed rapidly or slowly, depending upon the nature of the liquid operated upon, to prevent spattering of the liquid; also to construct an apparatus of this kind which is capable of operating successfully on liquids supplied to the apparatus at various pressures and which requires no adjustment of the parts to adapt the apparatus t operate at different pressures; also to improve apparatus of this kind in the respects hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a liquid weighing and filling apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary side elevations thereof, on an enlarged scale, showing the mechanism for actuating the valves de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

Serial No. 38,643.

tached from the apparatus, and showing the parts in different positions.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section thereof on line 55,Fig. 1.

Big. 6 1s a perspective view of one of the links or parts of the mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of the upper portion of the apparatus, on a reduced scale.

A represents the usual base or pedestal upon which the apparatus is supported and which has an upwardly extending arm or member a on which a member or rod a is adjustahly arranged. The scale or weighing mechanism of the apparatus on which the receptacles to be filled are placed is, in the construction shown, supported on the lower member a, and the valve housing and mechanism for controlling the flow of liquid into the receptacles on the weighing mechanism are mounted on the upper member a. The members a and a, as shown. are telescopically arranged with regard to each other and are held in any desired adjustment relatively to each other by means of a collar or clamp a By means of this adjustment the valve housing and mechanism may be readily adjusted as desired to place the same in operative relation to the outlet for the liquid to be filled. Any other means for adjustably supporting the parts of the apparatus be employed, if desired.

B represents the scale or weighing mechanism, which may be of any suitable or desired construction, that shown comprising the usual beam 6, a weight pan or support 6 pivoted at one end of the scale beam and adauted to support a weight equal to that of the receptacle when filled with the desired amount of liquid, and a supporting scale platform or the like 6 at the other end of the scale beam for the receptacle. A bracket 5 supporting the scale B is adjustably supported on the member a so that the scale can be raised and lowered to and from the valve housing and mechanism of the apparatus. C represents the receptacles which are to be filled with liquid. All of these parts may be of any usual or suitable construction and of themselves constitute no part of this invention.

The portion of the apparatus for controlling the flow of liquid into the receptacles comprises a plurality of tubular passages for the liquid, and mechanism for operating valves for controlling the flow of the liquid through the passages and into the receptacles. The passages may be of any suit able construction, those shown in the draw ings being formed by a plurality of pipe sections and fittings. In the construction shown, the liquid enters the apparatus through a tube (Z and then passes into a substantially horizontal tube or passage D to the end of which a fitting (Z is secured. A discharge nozzle (Z Fig. 1, is secured to the lower side of the fitting. This nozzle is preferably removably secured so that it can be replaced by other nozzles, such as a nozzle (f, Fig. 2, so that different nozzles can be employed for dit erent receptacles.

The flow of liquid from the discharge nozzle is controlled by means of a discharge valve E adapted to seat within the discharge nozzle and adapted to be raised from its seat to permit the discharge of liquid through the nozzle. The valve has an upwardly extendin rod or stem 0 which extends through the fitting (Z and through substantially upright tubular chamber 6 secured to the fitting d. This chamber closed at its upper end, and in the construction shown, is made of pipe sections and fittings. A second tubular chamber 0 extends substantially at right angles to and connects with the chamher 6. These two chambers constitute an air tight compartment in which a small volume of air is confined which prevents the liquid from enter 9; into these passa es. The valve stem c ends into this cor ed air space and is preferably weighted to insure the seating of the valve, shown being provided with a weight a in the air space. The upright chamber 6 ably constructed in sectio is prefer- 5, including a pipe section a ed a co .ncction e. The section 0 is provided with right and leithanded screwthread so that 18 section can be unscrewed to pcrr i: the interior or" the passages or housing to be taken apart and cleaned.

The valve stem 0 may be raised oil its seat by means of arm f secured to a shaft or pivot F and extending through the chamber and engz'a gins in a slot or recess of the valve stem. The shaft or pivot F is journaled at the end of the chamber 6 in any suitable manner, for example. in a bearing member Gland nuts 7 a; .1 f secured to the bearing member, form stulling boxes to prevent the escape of air from the chambers e and 6 A screw or pin 7 extends into the bearing member 7 and enters into an annular slot f in the shaft F to prevent endwise displacement thereof.

The turning of the shaft to move the valve upwardly out of its closed position is offected by means of a handle or arm suitably secured to the shaft. in the construclessees tion shown, this arm is secured on a clamp or split collar 9 adapted to be rigidly scoured to the shaft by means of a screw 9 which draws the parts of the collar together. The shaft is adapted to be turned by means of the handle or arm G into the position in which the valve lfl is open and is held in the open position by means of a trip mechanism which is released by the scale. In the construction shown for this purpose, a segmentalshouldcred or dctent member 9 1 s mounted on an arm which is also secured on the clamp g. The dctent member has a shoulder g adapted to be engaged by means of a detent H for holding the member in the position in which the valve E is open. The detent H is mounted on a lever It pivoted at 2 on an arm 7L2 which, in order to facilitate the assembling of the apparatus, is rigidly clamped on the bearing member f. @ne end of the lever Ii is provided with a weight if which tends to swing the lever about its pivot to hold the detent in engagement with the detent member and the other end of the lever is provided with bifurcated por tion and is adapted to be engaged by means of a trip rod 755, adjustably secure( at h to the scale platform 5 When the scale platform drops on account of the weight of liquid in the receptacle which is being filled, the trip rod it engages the lower part of the bifurcated end of the lever h and swings the lever on its pivot to move the detent H out of en agement with the shoulder to permit the shaft F to be turned on its bearing by means of the weight 0 which seats trio valve l3 and causes the handle G to be turned to its initial position. 7L6 represents a stop arm which is preferably formed integral with the arm 7& and which is provided with a set screw 72 adapted to engage the operating handle G- to limit the opening movement of the same.

When the apparatus is used in connection with certain lzinds of liquids, for example flu-cit liquids which do not flow freely, it is desirable to open the valve E to a greater exten' than when the apparatus is used in connection with thin liquids. In the construction ClEF-CllOQd, the open position of the valve can be easily changed by adjusting the detent member relatively to the d tent by means of the set screw g on the clamp 9. By making the detent member g adjustable relatively to the detent H, the adjus ment of the opening of the valve is greatly facilitated since the adjustment of the detent member does not affect the relative arrangements or positions of the arm 7L2, the lever 71, nor the trip rod 705. The delicacy of the adjustment can be regulated by means of a set screw 2' arranged at the rctain n'ishoulder 9*, and which is adapted to be adjusted to give the detent more or less bearin surface on the shoulder, so that.

more or less movement of the lever 71. is required to cause the valve to close.

It is also desirable to regulate the force tending to close the valve E. In the case of some liquids the rapid closing of the valve causes a spattering or splashing of the liquid which can be avoided by closing the valve slowly or gradually. In the case of other thick liquids it is necessary to'provide a considerable force to effect. a rapid closing of the valve after the scale beam has been. tipped. In order to accomplish this result, a counterbalancing arm K provided which, in the construction shown, is ri idly secured on the clamp g and on which a counterbalancing weight 7; is adjustably mounted. This weight counteracts the force of the weight 6 and can be adjusted. toward and from the shaft F to counterbalance the weight 6 to a greater or less extent as may be desired.

In apparatus of this kind the pressure with which the liquid is discharged into the rece tacle affects. to a certain extent, the weighing of the liquid. In changing the apparatus from a liquid fed at a low pressure to a liquid fed at a higher pressure it is necessary ordinarily to make considen able adjustments to compensate for the increased pressure. Furthermore. in some cases the pressure becomes so high that the liquid is splashed, so that the apparatus fails to operate satisfactorily. To overcome the di'fliculties due to variation in pressure of the liquid supplied to the apparatus, a supply reservoir is provided in the machine shown in the drawing which is filled when the discharge valve of the apparatus is closed, and to which the supply of incoming liquid is interrupted while the discharge valve is open. Consequently, the apparatus always operates under a pressure corresponding to the height of the liquid column in the reservoir, and the pressure at which the liquid is supplied to the apparatus is not transmitted to the discharge nozzle. To accomplish these results the apparatus is constructed as follows:

A reservoir L connects with and extends upwardly from the tube D so that the li uid is free to flow into and fill the reservoir when the discharge of liquid from the apparatus is interrupted, and to flow out of the reservoir when the discharge valve E is Open. The reservoir is provided at it upper end with a vent hole which. is adapted to be closed by means of a valve or float Z. lVhen the desired amount of liquid has entered the reservoir, the vent hole is closed, shutting off the exit of air from the reservoir and preventing the admission of more liquid to the reservoir. lieii the liquid flows out of the reservoir, the formation of a partial vacuum in the reservoir is prevented by the opening of the valve Z by gravity.

The supply of liquid to the apparatus is interrupted while the discharge valve E is open, so that the pressure of the liquid supplied to the apparatus does not affect the weighing mechanism. This is accomplished by means of an inlet valve M of any suitable kind, having a gate 122. which is secured on one arm of a lever on pivoted at m on the valve housing. The other arm of the lever is adapted to engage an arm m which is preferably actuated by the movement of the operating handle or lever G. In the construction shown, the arm m is secured on the counterbalancing arm K and a pin m adjustably secured on the arm at, engages a slot m in the end of the lever m. This slot is so shaped that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8, theactuation of the operating handle of the apparatus to shut the discharge valve will cause the discharge valve E to close before opening the valve M. In the reverse movement of the operating handle to open the discharge valve E, the inlet valve M is closed before the discharge valve is opened. This is accomplished by providing a lost motion connection, such as a slot a, in the stem 0 of the discharge valve, in which the end of the arm f engages.

By means of this construction the reservoir L is filled with liquid when the discharge valve is closed and when the dis charge valve is opened, the liquid supply to the reservoir is shut off, and the receptacle on the scale is filled with liquid from the reservoir at the pressure resulting from the height of the column of liquid in the reservoir. The apparatus consequently discharges liquid into the receptacles always at substantially the same pressure, regardless of the pressure at which the liquid is supplied to the apparatus.

In apparatus of this type it is frequently desirable to have the discharge nozzle of the apparatus enter partly into the receptacle to be filled so as to avoid spilling any of the liquid. In order to facilitate the placing of the receptacle under the discharge nozzle in such a manner that the discharge nozzle enters the same, a platform P is yieldingly supported on the scale beam. In the construction shown in Fig. 2, the yielding platform has four legs 79 which are slidabl v arranged in lugs 79 formed on the scale platform 6 The adjustable platform P is supported from the scale platform 71 by means of coil springs 72 through which the legs 79 extend, the upper ends of the springs bearing against collars p adjust.- ably secured on the legs. By means of this construction it is possible to depress the yielding platform when placing the receptacle thereon so that the same can be placed under the discharge nozzle and then releasing the pressure on the platform so that the receptacle will be elevated into the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the discharge nozzle of the apparatus enters partly into the receptacle. On removing the re ceptacle the springs can again be com pressed. lihe collars p are adjustable on the legs by means of set screws p so that the adjustable platform can be raised or lowered, as desired, depending upon the size of the receptacle. 79 represents set screws extending through the lugs p and adapted to lock the legs 39 into any desired position in case it is desired to dispense with the use of the springs. Fig. 1 shows the apparatus without the springs, the platform I? being merely adjustable by means of the set screws 39 Any other means may be used for supporting the receptacles on the scale.

By means of the construction described, an eiiicient and reliable weighing apparatus is produced which can be readily adjusted from the exterior of the passages and chambers containing the liquid, so it is not necessary to gain access to the interior of the housing to change the apparatus from one material to another. By providing an air space in the passages above the liquid, the operation of the actuating mechanism "for the discharge valve is not in any way interfered with by the liquid. since only the discharge valve and a part of tee valve stem are in contact with the liquid, and the cleanins; of the apparatus in changing from one liquid to another is greatl facilitated, since the parts of the mechanism above the level ot the liquid need not be cleaned.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for fillingreceptacles with liquid. the combination of a conduit through which the liquid is adapted to flow, a valve in said conduit. an air-tight ehamber connected with said conduit and arranged above said valve and confining a quantity of air above the liquid, and actuating m chanism for said valve located in the confined air in said chamber.

In an ap aratus tor filling receptacles with l u d. the combination of a conduit through whic the l uid is adap ed to flow. a valve in sa d conduit. an air-t ght chain her connected with said conduit and ar ranged above said valve and confining a quantity of air a ove the li uid. said valve having a stem which extends into said confin d a r. and actuating m chanism for said valve located in the confined air in said chamber a d extending throuoh the wall o'l't said chamber and enga ing aid stem.

3. In an a paratus for filling receptacles with liquid. the combination of an inclosed chamber through the lower portion of which the liquid is adapted to flow and in the up per portion of which a quantity of air is confined, a valve in said chamber adapted panacea to control the flow of liquid, and actuating mechanism for said valve arranged in the air s1 ace in said chamber and including a part extending into the air space in said chamber from the exterior thereoil through a wall of said chamber, above the level of the liquid in said chamber.

l. in an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of an inclosed chamber through the lower portion of which "he liquid is adapted to flow and in the upper portion of which a quantity of air is confined, a valve in said chamber adapted to control the flow of liquid, a stem con nected with said valve and extending into the air space in said chamber, a pivoted arm in said air space engaging said stem, and means adapted to be actuated from the exterior of said chamber and extending through a wall of said chamber above the level of the liquid therein to swing said arm about its pivot.

In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of an inclosed chamber through the lower portion of which the liquid is adapted to flow and in the upper portion of which a quantity of air is confined, a valve in said chamber adapted to control the How of liquid, a stem connected with said valve and adapted to seat the same, a weight on said valve for seating the valve, and arranged in said air space, and means e ending into said air space from the interior of said chamber above the level of the liquid therein and connected with said stem to open and close the valve.

6 in an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid. the combination of a conduit through which the liquid is adapted to flow. a valve in said conduit, an upright tube secured to said conduit and forming an air chamber. said valve having part extending into said upright tube, and a valve actuating mechanism extending into said tube above the level of the liquic therein and connected with said part above the le el of the liquid.

T. in an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid. the combination of a conduit through which the liquid is ada ted to flow. a valve in said conduit, an upright tube secured to said conduit and forming an air chamber, said valve having a stem extending into said upright tube, a weight on said Simlll and guided by the walls of said tube, and valve actuating mechanism extending into said tube above the level of liquid therein and connected with said part above the level of the liquid.

8. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid. the combination of a conduit through which the liquid is adapted to flow, a valve in said conduit, an upright tube secured to said conduit and forming an air chamber, said valve having a stem extending into said upright tube, a weight on said stem and guided by the walls of said tube, a tube extending laterally from said upright tube above the level of the liquid, and valve actuating mechanism arranged in said laterally extending tube.

9. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination with a discharge valve, of valve actuating mechanism comprising a member operatively connected with said valve for opening the same, a de-- tent member which moves with said valve opening member and which has a shouldered portion, a detent which engages said shouldered portion of said detent member for holding said valve open, and means for actuating the detent to release the detent member for closing the valve, said detent member and valve opening member being relatively adjustable for controlling the open position in which the valve is held by the detent.

10. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination with a dis charge valve, of valve actuatin mechanism comprisin a pivoted member operatively connected with said valve for opening the same, a detent member which moves about the pivot 01' said valve opening member, a detent which cooperates with said detent member for holding the valve open, and means for actuating said detent to release said detent member for closing the valve, said detent member being angularly adjustable relatively to said pivoted valve actuating member for controlling the open position in which the valve is held by the detent.

11. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination with a discharge valve, of valve actuating mechanism comprising a member operatively connected with said valve for opening the same, a detent member which moves about the pivot of said valve opening member, a detent which cooperates with said detent member for holding said valve open, an operating handle movable with said detent member and said valve actuating member about said pivot, and means for actuating the detent to release the detent member for closing the valve, said detent member and operating handle being fixed relatively to each other and adjustable relatively to the valve actuating member for controlling the open position in which the valve is held by the detent.

12. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination with a discharge valve, of valve actuating mechanism comprising a member operatively connected at one end with said valve for opening the same, a rock shaft to which the other end of the valve actuating member is rigidly secured, a detent member which is secured on said rock shaft and which is adjustable thereon angularly relatively to the valve actuating member for controlling the op poistion in which the valve is held by the detent member, a detent adapted to engage said detent member for holding the valve open, and means for actuating the detent to release the detent member for closing the valve.

13. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of a housing having a passage for the liquid, a valve controlling the dischar e oi": liquid from said passage, a rod extending into and journaled in said housing and having a part within said housing adapted to actuate said valve to open and close the same, an arm adjustably secured on said rod exterior to said housing, a detent adapted to hold said arm in a position to hold the valve open, and means for causing said detent to release the arm to close the valve when the desired amount of liquid has entered the receptacle.

l l. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of an inclosed reservoir adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, a valve for discharging liquid from said reservoir, a valve for admitting liquid to said reservoir, an actuating device tor said discharge valve which is pivoted on the apparatus and has a lost motion connection with said valve, and an extension on said de ice exterior to said reservoir and connected with said admission valve, said device closing said admission valve before said discharge valve is opened and closing said discharge valve before said admission valve is opened.

15. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of an inclosed reservoir formed of a plurality of pipes and adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, a discharge valve and an admission valve for said reservoir, a valve actuating handle pivotally connected to one of said pipes and connected with said discharge valve, and an extension on said handle arranged on the exterior of said pipes and connected with said admission valve for actuating the same, said handle closing said admission valve before said discharge valve is opened and closing said discharge valve before said admission valve is opened.

16. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of a housing, a discharge valve in said housing, means in said housing to seat the valve, a pivot adapted to be turned to open said valve, an arm connected to said pivot, and a weight adjustably mounted on said arm adapted to counterbalance the means tending to seat said valve for regulating the speed with which the valve is closed.

17. In an apparatus for filling receptacles with liquid, the combination of a. housinghaving a passage for the liquid, a disoLarge valve in said housing and adapted to be seated by gravity, a member pivoted in said housing, an arm in said housing connecting said member and said valve and adapied to open the valve when said niemher swung about its pivot, a second arm secured. on said member exterior to said housing, and a comiterbalance Weight adjustabl mounted on said second arm and 1 adapted. to regulate the force with which the valve is moved to its seat.

Witness my hand, this 2nd day of July,

FRAQJK B. CHAMBERS. Witnesses F. PROCHNOW, A. L. MCGEE.

fiop'ies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 latenis.

Washington, D. C. 

